Today is Guy Fawkes Day in the UK and other parts of the world with thousands of firework displays taking place. But is the writing on the wall for gunpowder and the blue touchpaper? Intel CEO Brian Krzanich is of the opinion that" Drones will replace fireworks" and his company has released a timely video of 500 drones to emphasize the point.

The new video was posted on You Tube on November 4th 2016 with the reminder:

Last year we put 100 drones in the sky and broke a world record. This year we set a new challenge: 500 drones. Watch our new world record performance in action.

If you missed last year's display you can still find it in our report, Modern Fireworks - 100 Drones Break The Record but the latest show is much more impressive. It uses a new drone designed specifically for light shows called the Shooting Star.

According to Anil Nanduri, Intel's VP of New Technology Group:

With this drone, we will be able to demonstrate that drone light shows can redefine entertainment and create amazing new experiences in the night sky.

The Intel Fact Sheet about the new drone explains that it has been:

designed with safety and creativity in mind with a super light-weight structure and virtually limitless color combinations. The fleet is easily programmed, assembled and operated to create beautifully choreographed images in the nighttime sky for an amazing new entertainment experience

Weighing in at only 280 grams or less than the weight of a volleyball, the Intel Shooting Star drone is constructed with a soft frame made of flexible plastics and foam and contains no screws. The quadcopter’s propellers are also protected by covered cages – all features designed to ensure the drone is safe to fly, is splash-proof and can fly in light rain.

Krzanich's claim is that drones are safer and easier to control than fireworks and he is on record as saying

"I see a future where fireworks and all of their risks of smoke, dirt are a thing of the past, and they’re replaced by shows that have unlimited creativity and potential — and powered by drones"

It still seems a bit weird that the company whose chips power our desktop computers should be moving into light entertainment (pun intended).